Pictures at an Exhibition
Choreography
Alexei RatmanskyMusic
Modest MussorgskySet against a backdrop of ever-shifting Wassily Kandinsky watercolors, Pictures at an Exhibition brings ten dancers together in dynamic formations, expressing a range of emotions.
Premiering at New York City Ballet in the fall of 2014, this ballet is set to Modest Mussorgsky’s iconic piano suite, the production features lighting by Mark Stanley and projections of Kandinsky’s Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles, designed by Wendall K. Harrington. The dancers, adorned in designer garments by fashion designer Adeline André—one of Ratmansky’s frequent collaborators—bring this visually and emotionally rich piece to life.
Ballet in a Box
The Choreographer
The Choreographer
Alexei Ratmansky (b. 1968) is a world-renowned choreographer known for his groundbreaking work in both classical and contemporary ballet. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ratmansky trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School and later became the Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet. His choreographic style blends technical virtuosity with a deep understanding of storytelling, earning him acclaim for works that push the boundaries of ballet while honoring its rich tradition.
Ratmansky’s repertoire spans from full-length ballets to innovative short pieces, with notable works created for major companies like New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, the Royal Danish Ballet, and the Mariinsky Ballet. Recognized globally for his artistry, Ratmansky’s work continues to inspire dancers and audiences alike, cementing his legacy as one of ballet’s most influential voices.
The Composer
The Composer
Modest Mussorgsky (1839–1881) was a trailblazer of Russian classical music, Modest Mussorgsky was a key member of The Russian Five, dedicated to creating a uniquely Russian sound. Best known for his opera Boris Godunov and the piano suite Pictures at an Exhibition, his music is bold, emotional, and deeply expressive.
Originally trained for a military career, Mussorgsky left the army to pursue his passion for composition. He crafted powerful works like The Nursery and Songs and Dances of Death, capturing vivid storytelling through music. At his passing, he was working on Khovanshchina, later completed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His legacy endures through his groundbreaking, deeply evocative music.
The Costume Designer
The Costume Designer
Adeline Andre is a French Designer born in 1981. Adeline worked as an assistant to creative director Marc Bohan at Christian Dior in 1970. Her style is known for being minimalistic. She went on to open her own Fashion Couture House, where she created her most famous fashion innovation the “three-hold garment.”
It is still showcased in collections in Paris, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the Fashion and Design Museum in Lisbon. In the 90s André became an invited member of the Syndicate Chamber of Parisian Haute Couture.
Ballet Credits
Ballet Credits
Choreography
Alexei Ratmansky
Music
Modest Mussorgsky
Costumes
Adeline Andre
Lighting
Mark Stanley
Projection Design
Wendall K. Harrington
